Nightglow Window

Christy And Sydney's Big San Francisco Trip: Day One

A message from Kathy L.

Dear Parents,

It has been just one day and our experience has been amazing. The girls were very well behaved on the plane and traveled like little troopers. We caught the correct bus immediately and walked easily to the hostel. Of course, it was up a steep hill, but everyone managed.



As we arrived around noon, our room was not ready. We dumped our bags in the luggage room and found the kitchen area. After a lunch on the sunny patio, a group of seven went on a grocery quest. Did you know that four girls and three adults can carry a huge amount of groceries back up a hill from the Safeway? Yes, Andrea, Audrey, Beryl, & Kylee stepped right up and lugged their fair share with Kathy, Nancy, & Sue.

By the time the remaining group stored our groceries in the kitchen, our rooms were ready. Excitedly, the girls found their places and proceeded to make their beds. Some girls were more challenged with putting on the fitted sheets than others. Over all, they were all proud of their accomplishments.

Once we were all settled, it was time to explore. And, explore we did! First off, we hit Ghiradelli Square. Sixty dollars later, everyone was sated with yummy ice cream. Sue & Christy volunteered to wait in line at the trolley. Meanwhile, the girls were able to play in the fountain, peruse the chocolate store, use the restroom (yet again), and drool over Kara's Cupcakes. On our way to the trolley, we spent a considerable time inspecting all the craftsmanship of items for sale along the sidewalk. Girls were very thoughtful about whether or not they were ready to spend their twenty-five dollars.

Thanks to Sue and Christy, the girls had a very short wait to hop on the cable car. We think that our helpful adults must have been standing in line for at least an hour. The cable car ride was a blast. By the end of the ride, almost all the girls and most of the adults were hanging off the sides and screaming gleefully. Our adventure took us from the Ghiradelli area all the way down to Market Street in the downtown district.

Looking for yet another bathroom, the girls found themselves in the SF Westfield Mall. Well, it didn't look anything like the one in Carlsbad. This one was definitely upscale. The basement, where we found the necessaries, was even fancy. Down there, was a giant food court. Plus, the girls noticed that there was a BART and Muni station right there.

By this time, we were all getting hungry. Having skipped the Cable Car Museum and Boudin Factory tour, we knew we needed to find food fast. You see, we were having so much fun enjoying ourselves, that we took our time getting from one place to another. Thus, to save our tired dogs, Christy directed the group to bus F. It turned out that our "bus" was an old-fashioned trolley. The girls are becoming quite adept at standing while traveling in moving vehicles. What fun!

Ordering fourteen meals was fun. We definitely challenged the kitchen staff at the Boudin Sourdough Cafe. Just about everyone had a bread bowl with either clam chowder, chili, or tomato soup. The group consensus recommends the chili, although all dinners were tasty.



After dinner, some of the girls decided to return to the hostel to relax, while a few die-hards set out to explore Pier 39. Andrea found a charcoal/print of the Beatles and made her first purchase. Kylee had her portrait done. Shh, Debbie. Don't let on that you know! Shopping in tourist kiosks and watching street entertainment was among the evening entertainment. Ask the girls about the fire twirler and they will tell you that they preferred petting the horses that drew the carriages. In fact, they found one horse with plastic Easter eggs on its mane and an Easter bonnet upon its brow.

Our last stop was Pier 39. There, we found a Lefty Store and we took Andrea's and Kathy's photos. Three of the girls spent some of their money riding the double-decker carousel. Beryl, Kylee, and Audrey first rode up on the second story. Then, they discovered the spinning cup and rode that on their second tour of the carousel. Andrea and Monica sat out, saving their money for something else.

In all, our trip has been full of fun, friendship, and laughter. And, it's only been one day.

All our best,
Troop 1400